Tag: Byron Jones

Cowboys News Links: Cooper talks heat up, Jones’ big messages

Also, Jerry speaks from Indy, Leighton Vander Esch’s injury, David Irving’s possible return, elite pass rushers, and a pumped-up punter.

Questions about if and when the current CBA’s tag structure will change have kickstarted talks between the Cowboys and two of their high-profile free agents. But Jerry Jones still found an hour-plus to spill the tea on a variety of topics- including his recent shower thoughts- to the media assembled in Indianapolis. Mike McCarthy also held court at the combine and provided a sneak peek at what the 2020 Cowboys may look like.

All that plus news on Leighton Vander Esch’s injury recovery, David Irving’s possible reinstatement, and Dak Prescott’s self-appointed advisory committee. There’s also linkage to elite pass rushing options, the Great Dallas Interception Drought, the ratings bonanza that is America’s Team… and a punter showing off his guns. Here’s the News and Notes.

Cowboys ready to intensify Amari Cooper talks amid CBA setback :: Dallas Morning News

Now that the Cowboys know that using a transition tag on Amari Cooper will likely only result in them having to rescind it if a new collective bargaining agreement is approved, contract talks with wideout Amari Cooper’s camp have taken on a new sense of urgency. The two sides met Thursday evening in Indianapolis; a Byron Jones conversation is also on the immediate itinerary.

10 biggest things Jerry Jones said from Indy :: The Mothership

In a wide-ranging 80-minute sit-down aboard the team bus, the big boss dished on Byron Jones’s status, Jason Witten’s future, Robert Quinn’s “real deal”-ness, Dak Prescott’s familial standing with him and Jimmy Johnson in the Ring of Honor.

Mike McCarthy’s 1st big test, can he outrank Jerry Jones :: Cowboys Wire

McCarthy thinks he has more say over the roster than he did in Green Bay. He’s going to have to outweigh the most powerful man in all of sports.

What’s going on with LB Leighton Vander Esch? :: Inside The Star

With neck issues dating back to his college days, will this be a permanent concern going forward?

Cowboys Draft Digest No. 5: Top pass-rushers are safe picks. Can Dallas find one? :: The Athletic

Historically speaking, collegiate pass rushers who earn “elite” status end up being studs on Sundays.

 

Irving reinstatement journey comes with side-eye, but Cowboys watching :: Cowboys Wire

The David Irving saga may have another chapter left to be written after all.

Mailbag: Why the continual lack of INT’s?:: The Mothership

One notable thing the Cowboys defense has lacked is turnovers. It’s a mystery that has seemed to plague this unit for years, and one that needs to change in 2020.

America’s Team: Cowboys still winning in TV ratings :: Front Office Sports

Last season’s 8-8 record notwithstanding, the Cowboys are anything but mediocre in the Nielsen numbers. One industry insider theorizes that a Super Bowl appearance would be an absolute record-breaker.

Punter Michael Turk steals show at combine on bench press :: ESPN

The Arizona State punter, who recently made a list of punters the Cowboys should consider drafting, may have improved his stock Thursday night when he absolutely smoked the 225-pound bench press in Indianapolis. Michael Turk’s 25 reps were better than all 33 wide receivers and all but one tight end who participated.

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Jerry Jones lathers up for Bryant return, talks any and everything Cowboys

The outspoken Cowboys owner held court with the press in Indianapolis, touching on a wide variety of topics, including Dez Bryant’s return.

Practically the entirety of the NFL media corps assembles in Indianapolis each year for the annual scouting combine. An army of reporters outfitted with cameras and microphones, just hanging around looking for things to broadcast/write/tweet about? Cowboys owner Jerry Jones is simply incapable of helping himself.

His lengthy huddle with the Dallas press aboard his parked bus has become a yearly tradition. And the outspoken owner always manages to deliver at least a few buzzworthy soundbites, even if he rarely makes any genuine take-it-to-the-bank revelations about the inner workings of the front office.

On a Dez Bryant return…

Over the course of eighty minutes on Thursday, Jones touched on a wide-ranging list of topics. But the quote that everyone will be talking about on Friday may be his weirdest since 2012’s “glory hole” line.

What Jones thinks about in the shower is a revelation, to be sure, but probably falls under the category of TMI for even the most hardcore Cowboys fan. Still, the Dez-comeback scenario appears to have gained real traction with the man who signs the paychecks.

On the franchise and transition tags…

Jones admitted that he voted for the collective bargaining agreement that’s up for approval from the players union, even though its ratification would cost the front office a bit of leveraging strategy when it comes to one of their superstar free agents.

The team could employ both the franchise and transition tags on Prescott and Cooper, respectively, under the terms of the current CBA. But if a new deal is made official, the league would expect Dallas to rescind one of the tags in accordance with the new CBA’s terms.

“It’s what it is. We’ll just have to figure out a way to (get it done),” Jones told Gehlken. “There’s no question it’s going to put on a bigger angst.”

On Dak Prescott’s importance…

The lack of a new contract for quarterback Dak Prescott looks more baffling by the day and has led some to question the team’s very belief in the signal-caller, who’s coming off his best season as a pro.

But when asked about Prescott’s importance to the organization, Jones struggled initially to find the words. When he did, though, he put the former fourth-round draft pick on par with his own son.

On Robert Quinn returning for a second season in Dallas…

Edge rusher Robert Quinn was one of the few standouts on a defense that mostly underachieved in 2019. His 11.5 sacks made the sixth-round draft pick that the Cowboys gave to Miami in exchange for his services perhaps Jones’s best deal of 2019 in terms of bang-for-buck.

Some have assumed that those numbers would make Quinn too hot a commodity for Dallas to keep beyond the one-year rental deal they made to get him. But Jones holds out hope.

On Jason Witten’s future as a Cowboy…

Jerry’s affection and loyalty for certain players has always been obvious throughout his regime. It’s not every owner who would greenlight giving a starting spot on the roster to a 36-year-old retiree who had spent the previous season watching games from a broadcast booth.

The 2019 Jason Witten Experiment netted results that were lukewarm, at best. While many in Cowboys Nation have already moved on from the eleven-time Pro Bowler and started to prepare for life with him in a different uniform, Jones says he isn’t ready to cut ties just yet.

On the chances of retaining Byron Jones…

With Prescott and Cooper comprising the two biggest priorities for the team this offseason, it’s been Byron Jones who’s typically being left out in the cold as visions of the 2020 roster materialize. Despite his obvious athleticism and shutdown play at the cornerback position, a lack of interceptions has been frustrating, to say the least.

Stephen Jones actually spoke about Byron in past tense recently, saying, “He’s had a great run” as a Cowboy. Jerry isn’t packing Byron’s bags just yet, but sure makes it sound like the writing’s on the wall.

On Jimmy Johnson’s place at the table…

Jimmy Johnson will be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame this summer. But the Cowboys coach who commandeered the turnaround of the franchise and masterminded the creation of the ’90s dynasty still isn’t in the team’s Ring of Honor.

Some have speculated that Johnson’s invitation to Canton would spur Jones to bury the hatchet once and for all, and in the most meaningful way possible, by hanging his first hire’s name permanently in his own house. But when asked about it, Jones sidestepped the issue.

On Leighton Vander Esch’s recovery…

The 2018 season saw the dawning of what Cowboys fans hoped would be a golden age of Dallas linebacker play. Jaylon Smith blossomed before our eyes, and rookie Leighton Vander Esch proved his worth as a first-round selection. But in 2019, Smith’s play seemed to regress, and Vander Esch missed the back half of the season with a mysterious neck issue that dates back years.

Jones expressed optimism, though, that the Wolf Hunter would be back on the prowl in 2020.

On the 2020 schedule…

Jerry doesn’t make the schedule, but he obviously knows what the Cowboys are capable of pulling in regarding TV ratings. If there’s a big game being played, it’s unfailingly made even larger by America’s Team being one of the participants.

Jones has his eye on two key ribbon-cutting games on the 2020 schedule.

For the media members who climb aboard Jerry’s party bus in Indianapolis every year, it’s always quite a ride. Even though it never actually leaves its parking spot.

Cowboys News: Maybe the last links before the new world order

News and notes for the Dallas Cowboys on February 25, 2020. A few mock drafts, and the new CBA will determine a lot for the Cowboys

The 2020 NFL Scouting Combine has begun and that means mock drafts will soon look a little different. Andy Reid was very confident in speaking to the media Tuesday about what the Cowboys are getting in new head coach Mike McCarthy. Byron Jones could be on his way out and nobody seems to be bothered by it. Tight end is a position the Cowboys are already heavily involved in at the combine but another former NFC east tight end could be a good fit in Dallas.

The biggest news came overnight though, as the NFLPA player reps approved, 17-14 a barely different version of the CBA presented by the owners. It will now move to the full body, which could vote electronically, to approve by just 1 vote over 50%.

The players will get 48.5% of revenue for the 17-game season, but of course the NFL doesn’t include a large portion of actual revenue in the part the players get a piece of.

2020 NFL Draft: Cowboys Pre-Draft Tracker :: Cowboys Wire

A running tracker that keeps track of all player meetings announced during the combine. With QB, TE, WR having media availability Tuesday, three names were added to start the list.

Football Outsiders: ‘Cowboys shouldn’t overthink’, Prescott is even worth losing Cooper :: Cowboys Wire

Tying together with Stephen Jones’ words about the two top free agents, a look at the assessment of the Cowboys offense and just how integral the QB is.

Mock draft, combine special: NFL beat writers predict, college experts analyze :: The Athletic

A new challenger appears for the Cowboys No. 17 pick in the 2020 draft in the form of cornerback Trevon Diggs out of Alabama. In this scenario, Dallas decides to fix their secondary in the more traditional way. The usual suspects at safety Grant Delpit and Xavier McKinney are nowhere to be found in this one-round mock.

The Factors That Will Define the Cowboys’ Make-or-Break 2020 Offseason :: The Ringer

Robert Mays looks at the most important off-season the Dallas Cowboys have faced in many moons and believes that the contract decisions the front office made last summer will cost them at least one premier player in Byron Jones.

Bucky Brooks 2020 NFL mock draft 2.0: CeeDee Lamb to Dallas :: NFL.com

Many analysts believe Oklahoma Sooners wide receiver CeeDee Lamb is the best prospect at his position in the draft. He isn’t the first receiver off the board in this mock, but it’s safe to say the Cowboys would be delighted to see Lamb fall in their lap.

Imitating Andy Reid’s success with his second franchise is something the newest Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy should hope to emulate. After his comments at the NFL Draft Combine, count him as a believer.

Cowboys corner Byron Jones is about to get away. Why does nobody seem concerned? :: The Athletic

He is historically always healthy, he is provably “out-of-this-world good” at his position, and there is no comparable replacement for him just waiting in the wings somewhere, so why does a low tally in a single stat category- interceptions- leave Cowboys fans (and possibly the team) so nonchalant about letting Byron Jones leave Dallas?

Mailbag: Could Jordan Reed be the answer? :: The Mothership

Answering the inevitable question that pops up every time a marquee-name player hits the open market, the staff writers are skeptical about the team making a move to acquire former Washington tight end Jordan Reed.

Top 101 NFL free agents of 2020: Tom Brady fourth-ranked QB ::: NFL.com

Unfortunately for the Cowboys, they have seven players on this list with Dak Prescott and Amari Cooper at No. 1 and No. 3 respectively.

Helman: This WR Class Is Too Good To Ignore :: The Mothership

David Helman knows there is a need to draft on the defensive side of the ball but refuses not to acknowledge the very deep wide receiver class.

David Irving says he’s in reinstatement process :: Pro Football Talk

The defensive end might be having a change of heart when it comes to playing in the NFL with a new CBA in negotiation looking to lessen the restrictions on marijuana use and testing.

Stephen on XFL Kickoff, Draft Needs, Dez & More :: The Mothership

Dallas Cowboys Executive Vice President Stephen Jones addresses the future of Jason Witten and Sean Lee along with his thoughts on some of the rules of the XFL.

Cowboys in tricky spot with big names in limbo amid CBA uncertainty :: ESPN

Archer takes a look at multiple ways this whole thing can play out if the CBA is extended or not.

Report: Cowboys expected to begin talks on bringing Blake Jarwin back to team in 2020 :: Blogging The Boys

The Cowboys intend to address the tight end position by re-signing RFA Blake Jarwin. In addition, Dallas is scheduled to meet with multiple tight end prospects at the Combine.

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Colts may have chance to pursue CB Byron Jones in free agency

Would Byron Jones be a priority if he hits free agency?

We know the Indianapolis Colts aren’t privy on splurging in free agency but a cornerback that could truly help them in Byron Jones could be on his way to the available market.

If Jones hits the market, it won’t be because the Dallas Cowboys don’t believe in his talent. Instead, he’s trending toward being an odd man out because of the priorities the Cowboys have in re-signing quarterback Dak Prescott and wide receiver Amari Cooper.

Despite being a talented cover corner, Jones is expected to hit the market, per Michael Gehlkin of The Dallas Morning News.

Meanwhile, as has seemed clear for some time, the tone surrounding Byron Jones very much indicates he is the odd man out. The Cowboys drafted the uber-athletic defensive back in the 2015 first round, dabbling him at safety and cornerback before he finally stuck in 2018 at the latter.

The Colts have a need at the cornerback position and while it isn’t one of the top priorities this offseason, Jones would be a nice fit. Working with a familiar face in Matt Eberflus, Jones should be a player the Colts consider heavily in free agency.

The biggest issue with realistically pinning Jones as a Colts’ target is his expected price. Despite recording only two interceptions over the last five seasons, Jones could see a contract worth anywhere between $14–$15 million annually, per Spotrac.

The Colts have some youthful talent in the cornerback room with Rock Ya-Sin emerging and Kenny Moore solidifying his status as a top slot corner. Adding a talent like Jones would give the Colts three above-average cornerbacks in the room.

Jones would bring both athleticism and a scheme fit to the Colts in free agency, but Chris Ballard hasn’t shown a desire to spend highly.

Regardless, it seems Jones will be hitting the market.

49ers dream free agency signings

The 49ers can’t afford big-name free agents with their salary cap situation, but it’s fun to think about.

The 49ers’ preferred free agency route probably includes zero big-name free agents making their way to San Francisco. They have defensive lineman Arik Armstead to re-sign, along with starting free safety Jimmie Ward. They also have wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders, defensive lineman Ronald Blair and several other contributors set to hit the open market.

Keeping everyone would be ideal for a team that went 13-3 and was six minutes from winning the Super Bowl. Over The Cap has the 49ers with about $13 million in cap space to work with, although there are ways to inflate that number that San Francisco will surely execute.

We went through the list of available free agents though and picked out a few names that would be fun signings for San Francisco in the event they get priced out of some of their more coveted free agents. There are a ton of names that would instantly make an impact for the 49ers, so went over some hypothetical situations where they land in Santa Clara this offseason.

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Cowboys News: Combine memories, CBA talks shift tag windows

CBA talks could affect a few Cowboys players headed for free agency. Mock drafts have the Cowboys going addressing corner and receiver

Mock draft season is in full swing with the NFL Draft fastly approaching in April. With needs such as safety, corner, and wide receiver all needing to be addressed, the next few months will determine a lot about the 2020 Dallas Cowboys.

There are several important dates to keep an eye on as well when it comes to the NFL Combine, tag designations, and when teams can begin negotiating with unrestricted free agents. Who the Cowboys could possibly draft a safety in round one, what type of wide receiver would fit their offense, and should they consider re-signing a veteran corner is all covered on the News and Notes for Saturday, February 22, 2020.

Tag deadline changed, Cowboys may still get to use franchise, transition :: Cowboys Wire

With the players refusing to vote on the proposed CBA last week, the scene shifts to Indy. The league has since adjusted the franchise tag window in hopes a vote happens this week. The fallout is major for a handful of teams, specifically Dallas.

2020 Draft: Under-the-radar WR with No. 1 potential :: NFL.com

Bucky Brooks checks in with a quick scouting report on several draft prospects in a WR-heavy draft who could emerge as alpha dogs despite lasting into Rounds 2 and 3, including Baylor’s Denzel Mims.

PFF’s All-Combine Team of the 2010s – Pro Football Focus

Who were the athletic freaks that caused an uproar at the annual meat market known as the scouting combine? Cowboys’ 2015 and 2018 first-round draft picks Byron Jones and Leighton Vander Esch get the nod for their respective positions in a look ahead to this week’s festivities.

Predicting the Fates of Top Franchise-Tag Candidates in 2020 NFL Free Agency:: Bleacher Report

Bleacher Report gives 10 predictions about players who can potentially either sign their team’s franchise tag, sign to a long term deal, or, be traded. A very interesting take on Dak Prescott and Amari Cooper.

The Most Intriguing NFL Free Agents on the Market This Offseason:: Bleacher Report

NFL Free Agency is less than a month away and Bleacher Report gives their thoughts on the most interesting targets available. For the Cowboys, they take a look at defensive end Robert Quinn.

How Much Would it Cost Cowboys to Trade Up in the 2020 NFL Draft? :: Inside The Star

The 2020 NFL Draft is rapidly approaching. With the Combine, next week, will anyone jump out and catch the eye of the Cowboys to consider moving up? Inside the Star takes a deeper look at the value of pick 17 of this year’s draft.

Alabama’s Xavier McKinney Makes Sense if Cowboys go S in Round 1:: NGSC Sports 

Current starter at strong safety Jeff Heath and backup safety and special teams ace Kavon Frazier will both be unrestricted free agents in March, making addressing the position that much more important before the 2020 season.

Cowboys 2020 draft: Analyst identifies the type of wide receiver that fits the Cowboys offense:: Blogging The Boys

The wide receiver position is another the Cowboys would be wise to take a look at this offseason. This piece talks about what the Cowboys need at wide receiver to match their philosophy on offense and who that could possibly be.

Should the Cowboys Consider re-signing CB Anthony Brown?:: Inside The Star

The Dallas Cowboys top corner, Byron Jones, will be an unrestricted free agent in March and could price himself out Dallas. With a potential hole to fill, re-signing veteran corner Anthony Brown might not be a bad idea for depth purposes.

Cowboys News Links: CBA looks to add 7th playoff spot, 17th game

The Dallas Cowboys defense will look different in 2020. Gil Brandt’s top five all time Cowboys quarterbacks, breaking down the QB position

The NFL is frantically trying to reach labor peace so that all of the owners can focus in building talent for the 2020 season. With the new league year now less than a month away, collective bargaining talks are ongoing to try and work out a deal ahead of the expiration of the current CBA, after the 2020 season. The league is destined to take in gobs of more money, with a new TV deal on the way following 2021, and the legalization of gambling in states all across the country; there are proposals to have sports books located at several stadiums for in-game wagers.

On Wednesday, word came out there are likely to be two additional money-making provisions that will alter the NFL landscape. There is talk that the league, with the NFLPA needing to sign off, will add not just a 17th regular season game (taking away one preseason contest), but also add a seventh playoff team in each conference.

The sports world, for some reason, broke out in disgust and panic about the change, as if there hasn’t been many changes to the playoff structure as the league has evolved over the decades.

In 1978 (h/t @FrankieKen28), 10 of 28 teams made the playoffs (35.7%). In 1990, 12 of 28 teams made it (42.9%). In 2002, 12 of 32 teams were in the dance (37.5%) and now in 2020, 14 of 32 teams will reach the postseason (43.8%). Did any Cowboys fans have a problem with the playoff legitimacy of the 1990s?

A discussion of everything that’s on the table with the new CBA begins our link roundup.

What we know about where things stand with the NFL CBA negotiations :: USA Today

Mike Jones outlines all of the things already agreed upon (17th game, 7th playoff spot, increase in player’s percentage of revenue), and all of the things left to work out (mimimum salaries, less practice, funding rule that is big roadblock to fully guaranteed contracts).

Cowboys’ decisions on defense, special teams: Tricky keeping Byron Jones :: ESPN

Todd Archer makes the case for keeping most of the big-name bubble guys in these units, including Byron Jones, Robert Quinn, Sean Lee, Jeff Heath, and Kai Forbath… but not Michael Bennett.

Mailbag: Concern building for Vander Esch? :: The Mothership

Staff writer David Helman says, “I haven’t talked to anyone inside the organization who is overly worried about Leighton’s availability.”

Could DE Robert Quinn join Rod Marinelli with the Raiders? :: Inside the Star

Following the lead of Raiders Wire’s Marcus Mosher, ItS ponders if Quinn might look to reunite with the defensive coordinator who helped spark his 11.5-sack 2019 campaign with the Cowboys.

Dallas Cowboys roster breakdown: Wide receiver is the most complex situation :: Blogging the Boys

This deep dive into the team’s receiving corps takes a look at who’s locked up, who’s entering free agency, who’s out there on the market, who’s available in the draft… and how Dez Bryant adds a major X factor to the whole thing.

What’s behind a perfect stiff-arm? :: NFL.com

Ezekiel Elliott joins Derrick Henry and Mark Ingram in this video that explores the favorite get-off-me move of running backs, including the nuts and bolts of delivering the blow, the sweet spot for its effective placement, and which of their past stiff-arms stands out as most memorable.

2020 Free Agency: Predicting landing spots for every PFF top-50 free agent :: ProFootballFocus

The outlet breaks out their crystal ball and forecasts that the Cowboys will sign Dak Prescott and Amari Cooper to cha-chingworthy new deals, bring in defensive tackle Mike Daniels for a reunion with Mike McCarthy, and let Byron Jones go… to Las Vegas.

 

 

Cowboys 2020 NFL mock draft roundup: Check out all the new names showing up for Dallas :: Blogging The Boys

BTB takes a look at 11 different opinions on where the Dallas Cowboys will go with pick number 17 in the NFL draft.

Dallas PD issues statement that Amari Cooper is fine :: Pro Football Talk

In a crazy story that surfaced all over social media today, Pro Football Talk with the help of Amari Cooper himself clear up any rumors of a possible shooting.

QB Overview: How Quickly Can Dak Be Signed? :: The Mothership

Looking at big changes to the coaching staff and also addresses the back up behind the eventually signed Dak Prescott.

Agent’s Take: Target prices for Tom Brady, Dak Prescott and other 2020 free agent quarterbacks :: CBS Sports

Former NFL agent Joel Corry breaks down what he thinks it will take for Prescott to remain in Dallas.

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Would Byron Jones be a good fit for the Eagles in free agency at $16M per season?

The Philadelphia Eagles are expected to pursue Dallas Cowboys cornerback Byron Jones in free agency

The Philadelphia Eagles are set to be very active with personnel over the next several weeks and they have a conundrum at the cornerback position.

Both starting corners from the 2019 season, Jalen Mills and Ronald Darby are free agents, and although Mills could still return, the Eagles need an upgrade at the position.

The Eagles have been linked to Lions star Darius Slay, who’s looking to get paid, traded or both, but they could also have their eyes set on the prize of free agency.

Byron Jones has gone from former unknown cornerback out of Connecticut, to on the brink of possibly being the NFL’s highest-paid cornerback.

Jones is about to reset the cornerback market and with every team in the NFC East looking to secure his services, the Eagles could be preparing to jump into sweepstakes that could end up netting the talented defensive back around $16 million per season according to CBS Sports via Joel Corry?

Dolphins cornerback Xavien Howard currently owns the highest average per year at $15 million.

Slay leads NFL with 82 passes broken up since 2015 and is one of just 2 cornerbacks named to 3 straight Pro Bowls (Jalen Ramsey).

Jones for his part, has been targeted 125 times over the past two years, only allowing 65 receptions (52%) and 806 yards (6.4 YPA), with 5 scores allowed and 19 passes broken up.

The Eagles have over $43 million in cap space currently and would have to ask themselves if investing close to half in Jones makes the most sense.

Even if they traded for Slay, it would require a contract extension and possibly $14M-$15M per season on their part as well.

The Eagles could choose to address the cornerback position via the draft or a less costly free agent, but the writing on the wall suggests that Howie Roseman and company are prepared to trot out a huge name at cornerback for the team’s offseason training program.

Who that cornerback eventually becomes remains the biggest question.

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Pro Football Focus projects Raiders will sign free-agent CB Byron Jones

Pro Football Focus projects Raiders will sign free-agent CB Byron Jones

It’s pretty clear that the Raiders are going to be aggressive in free agency for the second-straight season. In 2019, the Raiders were able to rebuild their offensive line in free agency, bringing in Trent Brown and Richie Incognito. This season, expect the Raiders to spend more on the defensive side of the ball, specifically in the secondary.

The free-agent cornerback is deep this offseason and could get even deeper if players like Xavier Rhodes or Quinton Dunbar are released. But the top cornerback set to hit the market is Byron Jones of the Dallas Cowboys.

In a recent article by Pro Football Focus, Anthony Treash projects that the Raiders will be Jones’ top suitor in free agency. With Rod Marinelli making the move from Dallas to Las Vegas, he could help recruit his former star cornerback. Take a look at why PFF believes Jones would make sense for the Raiders.

After bouncing around at various alignments in the secondary for three years, (Byron) Jones found his home at outside corner in 2018 and has since been one of the five best in the NFL. In that role, he’s been a shutdown corner in press-man coverage — he allowed just 0.39 yards per coverage snap on those reps in 2019, the second-lowest figure at the position and over eight-tenths of a yard lower than the average. Daryl Worley was dead last in that stat, in case you were wondering.

Pro Football Focus projects Jones to sign a deal worth around $16 million per season once free agency hits. The Raiders should be able to afford that as they are expected to have approximately $52 million in cap space this offseason, according to OverTheCap.com.

Adding a player of Jones’ caliber to the secondary would be incredibly beneficial to the entire unit. Jones is one of the most reliable cornerbacks in the league, despite not being a takeaway machine. At just the age of 27, Jones is starting to enter his prime and would be one of the best additions the team could make this offseason.

Keep a close eye on Jones in free agency as he shouldn’t be available for very long.

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1 pending free agent Chargers should target: NFC East Edition

Chargers Wire lists one pending free agent on each team in the NFC East that the Los Angeles Chargers could target.

The Los Angeles Chargers are set to enter free agency with the most salary cap available since Tom Telesco took over as general manager in 2013.

Even though the franchise has some in-house players that will need to get paid, there’s a great chance that Telesco and company will be aggressive in signing other soon-to-be free agents to bolster an already talented roster, with the hopes of making a quick turnaround after finishing 5-11 in 2019.

With that being said, we are going to list one pending free agent from each team in the NFL that could be a realistic target for L.A. Next up is the NFC East.

Philadelphia Eagles – OT Halapoulivaati Vaitai

Vaitai, 26, has served as the Eagles’ swing tackle for the past four years. After standing out in his limited opportunities at both left and right tackle, Vaitai could interest the Chargers. He served as the starting left tackle en route to Super Bowl LII, but had his job taken over when Jason Peters returned to full health. Vatai also has some experience at guard. This past season, Vatai played in 476 snaps, grading out at 72.8 per Pro Football Focus (25th out of 87 tackles). For Los Angeles, he would ideally be a candidate to start at right tackle over Sam Tevi.

Dallas Cowboys – CB Byron Jones

Jones, 27, would add a huge boost to an already talented secondary where he would line up opposite of Casey Hayward. Coming off a 46 tackle campaign and after producing 15 passes defensed with the fourth-best forced incompletion rate of any cornerback, Jones would be welcomed to the City of Angels with open arms. Like Hayward, Jones isn’t going to tally the interception column on the stat sheet, but he is a reliable cover man on the outside. Jones also offers some positional flexibility as he played a little bit of safety during his tenure with the Cowboys.

New York Giants – WR Corey Coleman

Coleman is a former first-round draft pick of the Browns in 2016. He spent two years in Cleveland, amassing 718 receiving yards and five touchdowns. He then landed with the Giants after being released by the Bills in 2018. That year, Coleman only had five receptions for 71 yards. His 2019 season was short-lived after suffering a knee injury. Coleman is still young at 25 years old and his burning speed to take the top off defenses is what the Chargers need.

Washington Redskins – G Brandon Scherff

Scherff, the three-time Pro Bowler, has started in every game he has played in since his rookie year in 2015, and he has played 100% of the offensive snaps in all but eight of his 65 games. A wall in pass protection and a mover in the run blocking department, Scherff allowed one sack, nine hurries, and 10 overall pressures last season. The former Iowa product has battled through some injuries throughout his career, but he has overcame them and has managed to continue to still play at a high level. Scherff would be an immediate plug-and-play guard on the left side, taking over Dan Feeney, assuming that Michael Schofield is re-signed.